Functionalized fluoropolyethers

ABSTRACT

Fluoropolyethers having functional groups, consisting of randomly distributed sequences of perfluoropolyoxyalkylene units selected from: ##STR1## and included in one of the following formulas: ##STR2## where X is F or CF 3  T, T&#39;, T&#34;=a perfluoroalkyl group containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and one or two atoms of Cl, Br or I; 
     R, R&#39;=halogen atoms; 
     Y=a functional group; 
     o, q=numbers, zero included, such that o+q=1-20; 
     n=a number ranging from 1 to 15; 
     m/n=a number ranging from 0.01 to 0.5; 
     p=a number ranging from 1 to 20; 
     s/p=a number ranging from 0.5 to 2; and 
     z/o+p=a number ranging from 0.01 to 0.05.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/872,209, filed on Apr.22, 1992, now abandoned, which is a continuation of 07/727,309, filedJul. 10, 1991, now abandoned, which is a continuation application of07/614,551, filed Nov. 15, 1990, now abandoned, which is a continuationapplication of 07/346,480, filed on May 2, 1989, now abandoned.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to functionalized fluoropolyethersconsisting of randomly distributed sequences of perfluorooxyalkyleneunits selected from: ##STR3## and having a functional end group Y, theother end group being a perhaloalkyl group containing one or two atomsof a halogen other than fluorine, such fluoropolyethers being includedin the following formulas (I), (II) and (III): ##STR4## where: X is F orCF₃ ; R is F or Cl or Br or I; R', equal to or different from R, is alsoF or Cl or Br or I;

T is a perhaloalkyl group containing from one to three carbon atoms andone or two atoms of Cl or Br or I; in particular, T may be: ##STR5##where Alog is Cl or Br or I;

n ranges from 1 to 15, with m/n being between 0.01 and 0.5;

Y may be a --CN or --CH₂ Z or --COR"' group, or: ##STR6## where: E maybe NH, or an atom of O or S, and furthermore:

(A) when Y=--CH₂ Z, Z may be a group OR", where R" may be a hydrogenatom, or a group: ##STR7## where b is a number ranging from 1 to 15;##STR8## (c=a number from 1 to 3); ##STR9## where R₁ =and alkylcontaining from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, and optionally containing etherealbonds of the type --C--O--C--, or R₁ is a group --(CH₂ --CH₂ O)_(d) Hwhere d is a number between 1 and 15; ##STR10## and furthermore anaphthyl group, a benzl group or a mono- or poly-substituted alkyl oralkoxy benzyl group of the type: ##STR11## where R₂ --an alkylcontaining from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; said alkyl and alkoxy benzyl groupoptionally containing one or more substituents; or Z may be anitrogen-containing group --NR₃ R_(4;) where R₃ and R₄, alike ordifferent from each other, may be hydrogen atoms or they may be, eitherindividually or both, R₁ groups as defined above, or when R₃ =H, R₄ maybe a group: ##STR12## or R₃ and R₄ together may form a cyclic imide offormula: ##STR13## wherein the phenyl group may contain a substitutinggroup of the anhydride type; ##STR14## (B) when Y=a COR"' group, R"' maybe an --NHR₅ group, where R₅ may be hydrogen or alkyl with 1 to 8 carbonatoms, or R₅ may be a mono- or poly-hydroxyalkyl with 1 to 8 carbonatoms, an aminoalkyl with 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an ally group, amethallyl group, a trimethoxy- or triethoxysilanealkyl group of formula:R₆ --Si(OCH₃)₃ or R₆ Si(OC₂ H₅)₃, where R₆ =an alkylene with 1 to 8carbon atoms, or an isocyano alkyl of formula R₆ NCO, or anisocyanocycloalkyl group with 5 to 6 carbon atoms, or an isocyano arylgroup with 6 to 10 carbon atoms, optionally alkyl-substituted; or R"'may be an aromatic radical optionally alkyl- or halogen-substituted suchas, for example: pentafluorophenyl, bromotetrafluoro-phenyl,dibromodifluorophenyl, bromophenyl, bromo-benzophenyl,

    T'--O(CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O).sub.p (CF.sub.2 O).sub.s CRR'Y  (II)

where:

T'=Alog CF₂ CF₂ --; Alog CF₂ --; Alog CF₂ CF(Alog)--;

R, R', Alog, Y are the same as defined above for formula (I); p rangingfrom 1 to 20, and s/p from 0.5 to 2. ##STR15## where: Y, X, R and R' arethe same as defined above for formula (I),

T" is equal to T or T', o and q are numbers, zero included, o+q=1-20,z/o+q ranging from 0.01 to 0.05.

The products of the present invention may be prepared starting fromfluoropolyethers consisting of randomly distributed sequences ofperfluorooxyalkylene units selected from: ##STR16## and included in thefollowing formulas: ##STR17## where: X is F or CF₃ ; R is F or Cl or Bror I; R', like or different from R, is also F or Cl or Br or I;##STR18## with R being the same as defined above, or L is thecorresponding --COOH group or a salt or an ester thereof;

T is a perhaloalkyl group containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and one ortwo atoms of Cl or Br or I: in particular

T may be Alog CF₂ --, ##STR19## where Alog is Cl or Br or I; n rangesfrom 1 to 15, and m/n ranges from 0.01 to 0.5;

    T'--O(CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O).sub.p (CF.sub.2 O).sub.s CRR'--L(II)

where:

T'=Alog CF₂ CF₂ --; Alog CF₂ --; Alog CF₂ CF(Alog)

L, R, R', Alog are the same as defined above for formula (I), p rangesfrom 1 to 20, s/p ranges from 0.5 to 2. ##STR20## where: L, X, R and R'are the same as defined above for formula (I),

T" is equal to T or T', o and q are numbers, zero included, o+q =1-20,z/o+q =from 0.01 to 0.05.

In particular, the following cases are possible:

1) Y=--COR"'.

In such case, the possibilities are as follows:

(a) R"'=NHR₅ group.

In this case, the products are of the amidic type. They are preparableby reacting ammonia or amines of formula NH₂ R₅ with the correspondingalkyl esters, if the amines are strongly basic, or with thecorresponding phenyl esters or the corresponding acylhalides, if theamines are weakly basic or highly sterically hindered. Separation andpurification of the products are carried out by conventional techniques.Another method comprises reacting the fluoropolyether having the acidend group --COOH with compounds containing --NCO(isocyanate) groups attemperatures ranging from 100° to 120° C., with CO₂ generation.

(b) R"'=an optionally substituted aromatic radical. In this case it is aquestion of ketonic products, which are preparable by means of theFriedel-Craft reaction between the corresponding aromatic compound andthe perfluoropolyether containing the acyl group --COCl, or by means ofreaction between lithium-aromatic derivatives and perfluoropolyethershaving an ester end group.

2) Y'=CH₂ Z

In this case the possibilities are as follows:

(a) Z=OR". In this case, the products are obtainable from thecorresponding carboxylic (or ester) starting products by reduction ofthe group ##STR21## with Li, Na, B, Al complex hydrides.

Usually, the origin product is the alcoholic derivative --CH₂ OH. Thesubsequent derivatives are preparable by nucleofilic reaction of thealcoholate with compounds of formula R"X, where X is a movable halogen,generally chlorine, or by addition of the alcoholate to epoxy cycliccompounds. For example:

when R"=a group ##STR22## it is possible to operate by reaction of theNa or K alcoholates with epichlorohydrin in excess; after having removedthe epichlorohydrin excess, neutralization is cautiously carried outunder cold conditions and glycidyl ether is separated by extraction and,if necessary, by distillation;

when R"--a group ##STR23## it is possible to operate by reaction ofalcohols --CH₂ OH in the presence of alcoholate traces (as a catalyst)on glycidyl alcohol at 60°-80° C. then by acidification and separationof the polyhydroxy derivative;

when R"=a --CH₂ COOR group it is possible to operate by reaction of theNa or K alcoholate on ethyl chloroacetate in an ether-solvent; theproduct is obtained after repeatedly washing the organic phase withwater, optionally enriched with FC 113(1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane);

when R"= ##STR24## it is possible to operate by reaction of the alcoholswith acrylylchloride in an ether solvent in the presence of tertiarybases;

when R"=a --(CH₂ CH₂ O)_(d) H group it is possible to operate byreaction of the alcohols in the presence of catalytic amounts ofalcoholates with ethylene oxide at temperatures around 100° C.;

when R"=a group ##STR25## it is possible to operate by reaction of thealcoholates with the chloromethyl aromatic derivatives in inertsolvents;

when R" is a --CH₂ --CH═CH₂ group, it is possible to operate by thereaction of the alcoholates with allyl chloride or bromide under suchconditions as to cause the precipitation of the alkaline chlorides orbromides, and by extration of the allyl-ethers. For functional groupswhich are farther away from the perfluoropolyether chain, the reactionsalready known in organic chemistry are utilizable, as in such positionthere is no longer any influence of the fluoroether group.

(b) Z =--NR₃ R₄. When Z =--NR₃ R₄, the products are preparable byreduction, according to conventional methods, of the correspondingamidic derivatives when R₃ and R₄ do not contain reducible groups. Inthe contrary case, the products are obtained from the correspondingperfluoropolyethers containing end group ##STR26## prepared as mentionedabove, by reduction with the above-cited hydrides, and by subsequentreaction of one or two hydrogen atoms of the --NH₂ group with R₄ Xcompounds (X=halogen), or, when R₃ and R₄ form a cyclic imide, by directreaction of the --NH₂ group with a cyclic anhydride: ##STR27## carriedout in polar aprotic solvents, or in bulk at high temperatures (150°-20° C.).

(3) When Y=CN, the products are obtained by dehydration with P₂ O₅, attemperatures from 100° to 200° C., of the --CONH₂ group of thecorresponding amidic derivative.

The fluoropolyethers having an acid functional end group to be used asstarting products for preparing the compounds of the present invention,may be prepared by photooxidation of perfluoropropene and/ortetrafluoroethylene in the presence of minor amounts of a fullyhalogenated ethylene containing fluorine and at least one atom of ahalogen other than fluorine. The photooxidation product is thenthermally treated to remove the peroxide groups contained therein.

Such fluoropolyethers and the process for preparing them are describedin the commonly-owned Italian patent application No. 20,406 A/88corresponding to U.S. patent application No. 346,458, filed on May 2,1989, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

As regards utilization, in the first place, it is used as a fluorinatedsurfactant in the form of a salified monocarboxylic acid (ammonium saltor alkali metal salt), or in the protection of monuments and of stonymaterials in general against atmospheric agents.

The functionalized fluoropolyethers of the present invention areparticularly capable of reacting with organic and inorganic substrates,as well as with end groups containing 1 or 2 atoms of a halogendifferent from fluorine. They are used as surface modifiers forpolymeric and inorganic materials, in order to impart properties whichare typical of fluorinated products such as water- and oil-repellency,low coefficients of friction, low refractive index, and the like.

The following examples are given still better to illustrate the presentinvention, but they are not to be construed as a limitation thereof.

EXAMPLE 1

17 g of a mixture of acids of formula:

    Cl C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O(C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O).sub.n (CF.sub.2 O).sub.m CF.sub.2 COOH

prepared according to the procedures described in Examples 1 through 6of Italian patent application No. 20,406 A/88, where n has an averagevalue of 0.85 and M has an average value of 0.02, were mixed with 6 g ofP₂O₅, and the resulting mixture was heated from 100° to 200° C. in aglass flask having, superposed thereon, a Vigreux column (8×150 mm) anda Liebig cooler. There were thus obtained 12 gof a liquid distillingfrom 170° absorptions at 1805-1870 cm⁻¹ characteristic of carbonylgroups, and by the absence of bands attributable to hydroxyls in theregion from 3300 to 3600 cm⁻¹. Thus,the structure of an anhydride offormula:

    (Cl C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O(C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O).sub.0.85 (CF.sub.2 O).sub.0.02 CF.sub.2 CO).sub.2 O

is attributable to the compound.

14 g of the same acid were reacted with 10 cc of thionyl chloride for 8hours under reflux, in the presence of 0.1 g of pyridine. Afterreaction, most of the thionyl chloride was distilled off, then theresulting concentrate was distilled, thereby obtaining, from 105° to120° C. (at 760 mm Hg), 9 g of a product characterized, oninfraredanalysis, by a marked absorption at 1805 cm⁻¹ and by the absenceof absorptions from 3300 to 3600 cm⁻¹. On the basis of the percentcontent of hydrolyzable chlorine (with aqueous NaOH 0.5 N), the formula:

    CL(C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O(C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O).sub.0.85 (CF.sub.2 O).sub.0.02 CF.sub.2 COCl

was attributed to the product.

7 g of such product, mixed with 1.5 g of anhydrous benzene, were addedto asuspension of 3.5 g of AlCl₃ in 15 cc of CH₂ Cl₂, cooled to 0° C.and maintained under stirring. During the reaction, the mixture turnedred and became homogeneous; after a 4-hour reaction, the mixture waspoured into iced water, and the demixed organic phase was collected,washed with water and bicarbonate, dried on Na₂ SO₄ concentrated by CH₂Cl₂ and distilled, thereby obtaining, at 195°-198° C., a compound (3 g)characterized, in the infrared spectrum, by absorption bands at 1720cm⁻¹ characteristic ofa carbonyl and at 1500 and 1600 cm⁻¹characteristic of the benzene ring, wherefore the structures:

    Cl C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O(C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O).sub.0.85 (CF.sub.2 O).sub.0.02 CF.sub.2 COC.sub.5 H.sub.5

was attributed to the product.

EXAMPLE 2

90 g of a mixture of acids of formula:

    Cl C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O(C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O).sub.n (CF.sub.2 O).sub.m CF.sub.2 COOH

prepared as in Example 1, where n has an average value of 1.27 and m isequal to 0.05, were reacted with 100 g of ethanol at 99.9% in thepresenceof 2 g of H₂ SO₄ at 96% and 60 g of benzene, in a 250 cc flask,with a rectification column (l×100 cm) packed with Helipack superposedthereon. The temperature was maintained at such level as to keep themixture boiling. For 3 hours no distillate was withdrawn, then, with areflux ratio of about 20, the azeotrope (water, benzene, ethanol =43 ml)was collected on the top in 6 hours; then, by reducing the reflux ratioto 5, most of the benzene-ethanol azeotrope (140 ml) was allowed todistill. At the end, the obtained product was poured into iced water andimmediately separated, whereafter it was dried on Na₂ SO₄ and distilled,thereby collecting, at 170°-180° C., 82 g of product.

On infrared analysis, such product no longer exhibited the bands whichare typical of the acid, and it could not be titrated with a solution oftriethylamine in methanol, contrary to the starting mixture of acids.

The N.M.R. analysis evidenced the presence of the ester group: ##STR28##

43 g of the ethyl ester so obtained were dissolved in 150 cc of ethylethercooled to 0° C. and a gaseous ammonia flow was conveyed for 2 hoursto the solution. During such period of time the reaction was completed.After evaporation of the ether, the remained liquid was rectified, sothatit was possible to collect, between 240° and 260° C., a product,which, on infrared analysis, was characterized by absorptions at 1740cm⁻¹ and 1610 cm⁻¹.

    Cl C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O(C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O).sub.1.27 (CF.sub.2 O).sub.0.05 CF.sub.2 CONH.sub.2

was attributable.

14 g of the above-mentioned ethyl ester were dissolved in 10 cc of ethylether and were addtioned with 2.4 cc of n-butylamine.

The mixture was reacted for 1 hour, then the solvent was concentratedand distillation was carried out, thereby collecting, between 220° and230° C., a product which, on elemental analysis (C=34.4%, Cl=7.9%,F=40.5%, H=2%) and on infrared and N.M.R. ¹⁹ F analyses, was shown tobethe amide of structure:

    Cl (C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O(C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O).sub.1.27 (CF.sub.2 O).sub.0.05 CF.sub.2 CONHC.sub.4 H.sub.9.

EXAMPLE 3

9.4 g of the amide of formula:

    Cl C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O(C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O).sub.1.27 (CF.sub.2 O).sub.0.05 --CF.sub.2 CONH.sub.2

of the preceding example were mixed in a glass flask, equiped with acooler, with 20 g of P₂ O₅ and the resulting mixture was heated for 2hours at 150 °-180° C. After having removed the coolerthe thus obtainedliquid product was distilled, which was then distilled again, therebycollecting 7 g of fraction boiling between 120° and 130° C.

The product of that fraction is characterized, on infrared analysis, bya sharp absorption band at 2250 cm⁻¹, which is typical of the --CNgroup, wherefore the formula of the nitrile:

    Cl C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O(C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O).sub.1.27 (CF.sub.2 O).sub.0.05 CF.sub.2 CN

is attributed to the product.

EXAMPLE 4

A sample (20 g) of phenyl ester of formula:

    Cl C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O(C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O).sub.1.27 (CF.sub.2 O).sub.0.05 CF.sub.2 COOC.sub.6 H.sub.5

prepared, starting from 10 cc of the acid described in Example 2 , byreactions of conversion to the corresponding acyl chloride andsubsequent reaction with phenol in the presence of pyridine and washingwith an agueous alcoholic solution, was reacted with 3.7 g ofO-phenylenediamine by gradually heating from 30° to 200° C. carried outin 20 hours. The product obtained was a green solid, having a meltingtemperature of 65°-70° C. and a boiling temperature of 230°-260° C., andwas characterized by sharp absorption bands in the infrared spectrum, at1450, 1490, 1540, 1590 cm⁻¹ (relevant to condensed rings and to grouping--C═N-- in the ring), as well as by a broad absorption in the areabetween 2700.and 3100 cm⁻¹ due to C--H and N--H bonds.

Elemental analysis (C=32.5%, Cl=6.4%, H=0.1%, F=54.9%) confirmed thatthe product had the following structure: ##STR29##

EXAMPLE 5

10 g of the nitrile of Example 3 were reacted in a glass vial at atemperature of -50° C. with anhydrous ammonia in excess. Theexcessammonia was removed from the product, to which the structure ofthe corresponding amidine of formula: ##STR30##was attributed on thebasis of the typical infrared absorption bands at 1600 cm⁻¹ ,characteristic of the iminic group, and in the area between 3400-3100cm⁻¹ characteristic of N--H bonds.

A sample (5 g) of the amidine so obtained, after gradually heating up to300° C. in 8 hours until the conclusion of evolution of ammonia, wasthereby converted to a highly viscous liquid characterized, on infraredanalysis, by a single sharp absorption band at 1550 cm⁻¹ , correspondingto the --C═N--group of the triazine ring, wherefore the structure ofsimpolyoxachloroperfluoroalkyltriazine of formula ##STR31##where R_(f) =the radical ClC₃ F₆ O(C₃ F₆ O)₁.27(CF₂ O)₀.05 --CF₂)-- is attributableto the compound.

EXAMPLE 6

50 g of ethyl ester:

    ClC.sub.3 F.sub.6 O(C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O).sub.1.27 (CF.sub.2 O).sub.0.05 CF.sub.2 COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5

according to Example 2, were added in 2 hours to a suspension of 4 g ofLiAlH₄ in 250 cc of anhydrous ethyl ether, at a temperature ranging fromroom temperature to 35° C. After a 3-hour reaction, the excessof LiAlH₄was decomposed with HCl at 5%, the ether phase was separated, dried withNa₂ SO₄, concentrated and then distilled at atmospheric pressure,whereafter the fraction of product boiling from 150° to 170° C. wascollected.

On infrared analysis, this product no longer exhibited the absorptionbandsattributable to carbonyl, but a broad band attributable to thehydroxyls. By treatment with a weighed amount of acetic anhydride, inthe presence ofpyridine and ethyl ether, after 12 hours, by hydrolyzingthe excess of anhydride, acetic acid was countertitrated and for suchproduct an equivalent molecular weight of 490, referred to hydroxyls,was obtained.

NMR(¹ H) analysis confirmed the following structure of the product:

    ClC.sub.3 F.sub.6 O(C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O).sub.1.27 (CF.sub.2 O).sub.0.05 CF.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH.

EXAMPLE 7

55 g of amide:

    Cl.sub.3 F.sub.6 O(C.sub.3 F.sub.6).sub.1.27 (CF.sub.2 O).sub.0.05 CF.sub.2CONH.sub.2

prepared according to Example 3 were added, in 2 hours, to a suspensionof 4 g of LiAlH₄ in 300 cc of ethyl ether at room temperature.

After a 2-hour reaction at room temperature and a 2-hour reaction at 35°C., the excess of LiAlH₄ was decomposed at 0° C. with an aqueoussolution of tetrahydrofuran whereafter 500 g of H₂ O and 50 cc ofaqueous NaOH at 40% were added to the mixture.

The organic layer was separated, dried on Na₂ SO₄ and distilled thefraction boiling between 140° and 160° C. (40 g) was collected.

The infrared analysis no longer revealed absorption bands attributableto carbonyl groups.

The structure:

    ClC.sub.3 F.sub.6 O(C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O).sub.1.27 (CF.sub.2 O).sub.0.05 CH.sub.2 NH.sub.2

was attributable to the product.

The aminic equivalent weight, determined by titration with HClO₄ (0.1 Nin acetic acid), was equal to 495.

EXAMPLE 8

A solution of 1.6 cc of acrylyl chloride in 20 cc of ethyl ether wasadded to a solution of 11 g of an amine of formula:

    ClC.sub.3 F.sub.6 O(C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O).sub.1.98 (CF.sub.2 O)═.sub.0.08 CH.sub.2 NH.sub.2

prepared according to the method of Example 7, starting from the amideof the corresponding acid, and 2.8 cc of triethylamine in 100 cc ofethyl ether cooled to 0° C. and maintained under stirring. The mixturewas reacted for 3 hours at 0° C. after which it was filtered.

The ethereal solution so obtained was additioned with 0.1 g ofphenothiazine ##STR32##then it was concentrated and distilled: 7 g ofthe fraction of product werecollected from 105° to 115° C., under apressure of 15 mm Hg.Such product was characterized by absorption bandsin the infrared spectrum, at 1730 cm⁻¹, attributable to carbonyl, and at1625 cm⁻¹, attributable to the double bond.

The structure of an acrylamide of formula:

    ClC.sub.3 F.sub.6 O(C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O).sub.1.98 ═(CF.sub.2 O).sub.0.08 --CF.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 NHCO--CH═CH.sub.2

was attributable to the product.

The NMR (¹ H) analysis also confirmed the above-indicated structure.

EXAMPLE 9

A mixture of acids of formula

    TO(C.sub.2 F.sub.4 O).sub.n (CF.sub.2 O).sub.m CF.sub.2 COOH

obtained according to the procedure of Examples 9 to 19 of Italianpatent application No. 20,406 A/88, where: T=ClCF₂ or ClCF₂ CF₂, m/n=1.2with a molar ratio:

--COOH/T=1.1,

and having an average molecular weight equal to 900, was esterified asdescribed in Example 2.

After removal of the alcoholic phase, the layer consisting of the ethylesters of the perfluorinated acids was purified by stripping undervacuum at 100° C. for 2 hours.

150 g of such ethyl esters were distilled: the products were collectedfrom195° to 210° C., and were characterized, on infrared analysis, byabsorption at 1790 cm⁻¹.

These products were then reduced to monofunctional alcohols of formula:

    TO(C.sub.2 F.sub.4 O).sub.n (CF.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH

by means of LiAlH₄, as described above in Example 6.

The products so obtained had a boiling temperature ranging from 175°to190° C.

EXAMPLE 10

A mixture of acids of formula: ##STR33##prepared according to Examples21-23 of Italian patent application No. 20,406 A/88,

where T=ClC₃ --, or ClCF₂ --, ClC₂ F₄ --, and characterized by averagevalues of m, n and p such that p/m+n=0.02 and m/n=0.5, a --COOH/T molarratio=about 1, and an average molecular weight of 850, was reacted as inExample 2 in order to obtain the corresponding ethyl ester. 20 g of suchester were dissolved in 100 cc of a 1/1 by volume solution of ethylether and FC 113 (1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane) cooled to 0° C.

The solution was subjected to a gaseous ammonia flow for 3 hours. Afterevaporation of the solvent, the residue consisted of a mixture of amidesof formulas ##STR34##as confirmed by the presence of absorption bands at1740 cm⁻¹ in the infrared spectrum, where T, n, m and p are the same asdefined hereinbefore.

EXAMPLE 11

10 g of the amides mixture obtained in Example 10 were treated with 20 gofP₂ O₅ at 150° -180° C. for 3 hours. The liquid product obtained fromthe reaction was recovered by distillation and identified as a mixtureof nitriles of formula ##STR35##by infrared analysis (absorption at 2250cm⁻¹).

EXAMPLE 12

50 g of ethyl ester

    ClC.sub.3 F.sub.6 O(C.sub.3 F.sub.6 O).sub.1.27 (CF.sub.2 O).sub.0.05 CF.sub.2 COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5

prepared according to Example 2 were dissolved in 150 cc of a mixture of1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (FC 113) and methanol in a 1/1weight ratio. Such solution was then additioned with 15 g ofaminopropyltriethoxysilane and then heated at reflux. On conclusion ofthereaction, the solvent and the reagent in excess were evaporated.

The infrared analysis revealed the disappearance of the ester absorptionband at 1790 cm⁻¹ while the presence of a band at 1740 cm⁻¹characteristic of the amidic group was observable.

The NMR analysis (ISF and ¹ H) revealed that the product had thefollowing structure: ##STR36##

EXAMPLE 13

A sample of 50 g of a mixture of methylesters prepared according to theprocedure described in Example 20 of Italian patent application No.20,406A/88, starting from a brominated product obtained according toExample 25 of said application, such esters having formula:##STR37##where p has an average value of 2.52 and m has an average valueof 0.1, andhaving a molecular weight equal to 800, was added dropwise toa solution of3.5 g of anhydrous NaBH₄ dissolved in 100 ml of absoluteethyl alcohol, at a temperature around 20° C. On conclusion of dropping(40 minutes), the whole was maintained under stirring at 20° C. for1hour, then an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid at 5% was introducedtill a decidedly acid pH was obtained. 80% of the introduced ethylalcoholwas distilled off and, after cooling, from the heavy phase therewere obtained, by distillation under vacuum (0.5-1 mm Hg at 90°-110°C.), 39 g of an oil which, on infrared analysis, did not exhibit anyabsorption attributable to carbonyl, but a pronounced band in the regionindicating hydroxyls.

By titration with acetic anhydride, as shown in Example 6, an equivalentweight, referred to hydroxyl, equal to 650, corresponding to formula:##STR38##was obtained.

What is claimed is:
 1. A functionalized fluoropolyether defined by theformula (II):

    T'--O (CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O).sub.p (CF.sub.2 O).sub.s CRR'Y (II)

where: R is selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br and I; R',equal to or different from R, is selected from the group consisting ofF, Cl, Br, and I; T' is selected from the group consisting of

    Alog--CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 --; Alog--CF.sub.2 --; and Alog CF.sub.2 CF--(Alog)--;

where Alog is [Cl,] Br [or I]; p ranges from 1 to 20 , with s/p beingbetween 0.5 and 2.0; Y is selected from the group consisting of --CN,--CN₂ Z, --COR"', ##STR39## where: E is --NH--, --O-- or --S--, andfurthermore with the proviso: (A) when Y is --CH₂ Z, Z is OR", where R"is a hydrogen atom, or: ##STR40## (where b is a number ranging from 1 to15); ##STR41## (c=a number from 1 to 3); ##STR42## Where R₁ is an alkylcontaining from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, with and alkyl containing from 1to 30 carbon atoms with ether bonds of type --C--O--C--, or --(CH₂ --CH₂O)_(d) H, wherein d is a number ranging from 1 to 15 ; ##STR43## anaphthyl group; a benzyl group; or a mono- or poly-substituted alkyl orakoxy benzyl group of the type: ##STR44## where R₂ =an alkyl containingfrom 1 to 4 carbon atoms; or Z is a nitrogen--containing group --NR₃ R₄where R₃ and R₄, alike or different from each other, are hydrogen atomsor they are, either individually or both, R₁ groups as defined above,or, when R₃ =H, R₄ is: ##STR45## or R₃ and R₄ together form a cyclicimide of formula: ##STR46## wherein the phenyl group contains asubstituent group of the anhydride type; ##STR47## (B) and when Y=COR"',R"', is selected from the group consisting of --NHR₅, where R₅ ishydrogen, C₁ -C₈ alkyl, C₁ -C₈ mono- or poly-hydroxyalkyl, C₁ -C₈aminoalky, allyl group, methallyl group, R₆ --Si(OCH₃)₃ or R₆ Si(OC₂H₅)₃, where R₆ is C₁ -C₈ alkylene, --R₇ NCO where R₇ is C₁ -C₈ alkylene,C₅ -C₆ cycloalkylene, C₆ -C₁₀ arylene, an unsubstituted aromatic radicalor a substituted aromatic radical selected from the group consisting ofpenta-fluorophenyl, bromotetrafluorophenyl, dibromodifluorophenyl,bromophenyl and bromobenzophenyl.
 2. A functionalized fluoropolyetherdefined by one of the following formulas: ##STR48## where: X is F or CF₃; R is selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, and I; R', equalto or different from R, is selected from the group consisting of F, Cl,Br, and I; T is a perhaloalkyl group containing from one to three carbonatoms and one or two atoms of Br; T is selected from the groupconsisting of Alog CF₂ --; ##STR49## and Alog CF₂ CF(CF₃)--; where Alogis Br;n ranges from 1 to 15, with m/n being between 0.01 and 0.5; Y isselected from the group consisting of a --CN, --CH₂ Z, --COR"',##STR50## where: E is --NH--, --O-- or --S--, and furthermore with theproviso:(A) when Y=--CH₂ Z, Z is OR", where R" is a hydrogen atom, or:##STR51## ##STR52## (where b is a number ranging from 1 to 15);##STR53## ##STR54## (c=a number from 1 to 3); ##STR55## where R₁ =analkyl containing from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, an alkyl containing etherbonds of type --C--O--C--, --(CH₂ --CH₂ O)_(n) H, wherein n is a numberranging from 1 to 15, a naphthyl group, a benzyl group, or a mono- orpoly-substituted alkyl or alkoxy benzyl group of the type: ##STR56##where R₂ =an alkyl containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; or Z is anitrogen-containing group --NR₃ R₄ ; where R₃ and R₄, alike or differentfrom each other, are hydrogen atoms or they are, either individually orboth, R₁ groups as defined above, or, when R₃ =H, R₄ is: ##STR57## or R₃and R₄ together form a cyclic imide of formula: ##STR58## wherein thephenyl group contains a substituent group of the anhydride type;##STR59## (B) when Y=COR"' group, R"' is selected from the groupconsisting of --NHR₅ where R₅ is hydrogen C₁ -C₈ alkyl, C₁ -C₈ mono- orpoly-hydroxyalkyl, C₁ -C₈ aminoalkyl, allyl group, methallyl group, R₆--Si(OCH₃)₃ or R₆ Si(OC₂ H₅)₃, where R₆ is C₁ -C₈ alkylene, R₇ NCO,where R₇ is C₁ -C₈ alkylene, C₅ -C₆ cycloalkylene, C₆ -C₁₀ arylene, anunsubstituted aromatic radical or a substituted aromatic radicalselected from the group consisting of pentafluorophenyl,bromotetrafluorophenyl, dibromodifluorophenyl, bromophenyl andbromobenzophenyl,

    T'--O (CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O).sub.p (CF.sub.2 O).sub.s CRR' Y(II)

where: T' is selected from the group consisting of Alog CF₂ CF₂ --, AlogCF₂ -- and Alog CF₂ CF(Alog)--: R, R', Alog and Y are the same asdefined above for formula (I); p ranges from 1 to 20, and s/p rangesfrom 0.5 to 2; and ##STR60## where: Y, X, R and R' are the same asdefined above for formula (I), T" is equal to T or T', o and q areintegers, zero included, o+q ranges from 1 to 20 , z/o+q ranges from0.01 to 0.05.